Monday, June 29, 2009

Space Camp for Teachers

If Jim Schliefke ever had the chance to go to space, he'd jump at the chance. "Definitely," he said this week, affirming the declaration with a nod.

It was a courageous statement coming from someone who, just the week before, had crash-landed the space shuttle in water.

But then, it was only his first landing, clarified the nine-year Horace Mann Middle School science teacher as he sat in his classroom recalling the incident - and nobody was hurt.

It was all part of a simulation, with Schliefke cast as space shuttle pilot, at the Space Academy for Educators, a program offered at Space Camp.

The Franklin resident was among 16 educators from around the globe who spent a week in astronaut-style training, and discovering new ways to inspire their students.

Schliefke attended the program on a scholarship from Honeywell - one of 288 teachers from 16 countries and 47 states selected from among 1,200 applicants to take part in the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programs at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. over the course of the summer.